GHANA’SENVOYSPLEDGETOMARKETTHEUPPEREASTREGION

Twenty-nine Ambassadors and High Commissioners have assured the people of Upper East Region that they would market the region to the world when they assume their positions in their various designated countries.

The assurance was given when the Envoys paid a familiarization tour to the region to learn at first hand the economic prospects of the region, the possible challenges and how to overcome them.

The Envoys were briefed by the Municipal and District Chief Executives about the condition of the various irrigable dams, food crops, animal rearing and natural resources such as gold, manganese and clay that can be processed into bricks, among others.

They also showed interest in education as well as health and the challenges associated with their administration in order to position themselves appropriately on how to solicit for investment from investors and foreign governments who may show interest in particular ventures.

During the interaction, the Upper East Regional Director of Education, Mrs. Jane Sabina Obeng, identified the major challenge facing the sector is lack of vehicles for monitoring and supervision as well as other logistics to enable teachers deliver effectively.

The Regional Director of Health, Dr. Kofi Issa, also expressed concern about the refusal of doctors, especially the specialists, to accept postings to the region and recommended free accommodation, free utility bills and sponsorship for further studies as incentives that could attract them.

At the Chief’s Palace at Tongo, Tongrana Kugbilsong Nanlebegtang, described the visit of the Envoys as a historic event since it would enable the envoys to know at first hand, the various regions and their prospects to enable them market Ghana adequately.

The Chief described Talensi as the gate-way to the Upper East Region that abounded with natural resources such as gold, rocks with a great economic benefits as well as tourism potentials including the Tongo Hills which was used as a place for the slave trade in the pre-independence era.

Tongrana, who is also a member of Council of State, advised the envoys to market Ghana very well in their respective countries in order to attract investors to the country for job creation, “let Ghana shine, show an exemplary life and bring Ghana to its original status as the black stars of Africa” he emphasized.

In an address, the Upper East Regional Minister, Hon. Rockson Bukari, categorized the region into three comprising mainly the Bawku Traditional Zone which, he said was very well known for the production of watermelon, onions and beans (Binaba beans) which could be processed at an industrial level to improve wealth creation and prevent the perennial glut of the produce.

Mr Bukari also identified the middle zone which, he said, comprised the Bonaboto areas, characterized by large tracks of rocks that could be a huge potential for the construction industry, adding that other mineral resources that the area was known for included large deposits of clay that could promote the brick and tile industry as well as gold deposits which, he said, was unfortunately promoting illegal mining.

The third area he identified was the Western corridor, made up of four Builsa and Kassena-Nankana Districts —a major producer of rice.

Mr Bukari added that generally, agricultural produce, such as maize, cowpea, soya bean, rice, round beans and groundnut, not forgetting of the huge potential in guinea fowls, donkeys, pigs, cattle and small ruminants, cut across all the districts.